Amazon.com: Customer reviews: SINGER | 9960 Sewing & Quilting Machine With Accessory Kit, Extension Table - 1,172 Stitch Applications & Electronic Auto Pilot Mode

Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2014

Style: 9960 Sewing MachineVerified Purchase

I have been sewing on a Kenmore Elite for 13 years now...
I own an online Western Clothing Shop... and get custom orders frequently.
So you can imagine that my machines have to perform (sometimes) daily from morning to evening.

Once my Singer 9960 was ordered my Kenmore died the same day! (without even a warning)

About the Singer:
I love the extra features that I just did not have with my Kenmore.
One of them is the thread cutter! :) Love that! I have noticed that my bobbin thread lasts longer and that it saves me so much time when I am working piecing small pieces of lace together. I can just stitch and push cut even when I move my fabrics around to the middle of a garment! wonderful. So, I have no more tons of threads sticking out at the back!
You do not even have to pull the bobbin thread out to continue sewing. (when I used this function for the first time I noticed that the thread disappeared in the bobbin and thought "Oh no what a pain! do I have to pull that thread out every time I push cut?"
So I checked in the manual and was glad I did check.
Just push cut and keep sewing as you work.

This machine is very quiet... I can even hear my music in the background while sewing. Love that.
It is so heavy that it sits very secure on my table and does not bounce around at all.

What I also like is that you can actually use the manuscript and the pictures for embroidery mixed sat the same time.
Verses: only manuscript and only picture embroidery (that was my Kenmore)

The functions I still have to get used to...
My kenmore had all the stitch settings color coded so it was so easy to see on the display.
Just pick the stitch look at the color and set the right button that matches the color.
Versus the Singer: I have to go with increments of 5 stitches push the arrow to get to the stitch I need.
But there may be an easier way, just have not discovered that part yet.

I also like that the drop feed button is at the front.
So much easier to control and reach!
With my Kenmore it was at the back.

I love the stitch setting, you can choose a straight stitch and have an auto reverse with it as well...
it makes it as easy to start sewing and no more pushing the reverse button to lock your stitch.

I had done a lot of research before I ordered this machine.
1) I truly liked the price and I wanted an upgrade from my Kenmore.
2) It had to have a thread cutter
3) A Needle threader
(the needle threader works a little different than I am used to... yet it is very simple to work with)
4) It had to be silent
5) required a very fast speed
6) Thread spools had to be covered

Many people wrote very negative feedback about this machine (especially about errors after threading the machine) so I was a bit nervous to purchase it at first.
Threading this machine is really not that hard.
Just follow the numbers and the arrows. I have been using the machine now for about 3 weeks and I have not had an error show on the display yet.
My 17 year old also worked on it already and loves that it has a speed adjuster.
What I would also like to suggest is to go quickly through the manual before you try to immediately work on it, especially if you are new at computerized machines.
No need to memorize the whole manual at once... but it helps that certain terms and settings will already be familiar if you read before you start. It will save you a lot of headache later. The first 3 days I had the booklet next to the machine. Now I do not need it anymore.

I was in awe with all the accessories that came with this machine! Amazing.
Funny though that there is still one accessory that I really miss. That is the 1/4" seam foot.
Of all the feet included, that one is the one I miss and may have to order in due time.
I have not used the extended table yet - but love it and will use it soon since I still have a quilt that needs to get finished.

I already made a new garment on my Singer 9960 when it arrived the next day! I finished that garment in 4 hours. It was easy to do and I noticed that I was faster on this machine than on my old one. It was a very good purchase and great item for the price!
Many great features...(many I still have to discover)

Honestly...
My Kenmore will have to be serviced and undergo repair.
If the cost gets higher than $100.00 I will purchase a new machine and that one will most likely be another Singer 9960 just so I have the comfort of having 2 good machines and a serger to work on at the same time!

You will not be sorry when you buy this machine!

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Jen

I love this machine!

Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2019

Style: 9960 Sewing MachineVerified Purchase

After reading several reviews and being a "big brand" user for years, I opted for what I learned on 50 years ago - a Singer. I wasn't convinced entirely, but this offered features I wanted for a great price. So I put my Pfaff aside and began using the Singer. I did quite a bit of research on the companies that make sewing machines. After finding that Singer and Pfaff are made by the same company, I was willing to take a chance.
I went thru the instruction manual thoroughly before using it. I'm not an instruction reader, so that helped tremendously. I wanted the automatic thread cutter and I love that. I was hesitant about the feed dogs working well because my older Pfaff has a built-in walking foot. But I find that this Singer works just as well. The stitches are perfect and I use it nearly every day.
It has some limitations, as do all machines. When the tension was off and my stitches weren't right, I took off the top piece (small plastic piece that covers the top of the tension discs), had to wiggle it gently so I wouldn't break it, and ended up finding some thread in the tension discs. Once I cleared that, it worked beautifully again. I've had to do that twice and quite honestly I think it's the fault of the thread I'm using rather than the machine. The automatic tension works beautifully.
My only other criticism of this machine is that the distance between the feed dogs and the presser foot, when lifted, is somewhat small and the fabric - no matter what type - tends to catch on the feed dogs and not slide through smoothly when I put it in to sew any seam. I think this is because the feed dogs are somewhat elevated and work so great at feeding the fabric. I can alleviate this problem easily by lifting the presser foot to its highest level. But that's tricky because you're essentially working with just one hand to slide the fabric under. It's easily solved, but somewhat fiddly.
I've made buttonholes beautifully with this machine. I did have to go back to a manual type because the size of one set of buttons was too large for the automatic foot. But I think that would have been a problem regardless of the machine. The buttonhole attachments are a standard size that doesn't go bigger than about a 1" button for any machine.
All in all this is a fantastic machine that I enjoy greatly. I've been sewing for 50 years (literally!) and even with my reservations about Singer products, this works great. It's all plastic, so I'd recommend a heavier metal-base machine for a beginner. But having said that, this is still a machine a beginner would find easy to use and gives great results. Highly recommend!

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GeezerSpeak

Lots of features and quality for the price.

Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2014

Style: 9960 Sewing MachineVerified Purchase

Singer Quantum 9960 purchased January 2014. When my wife's 30 yr old machine broke, I had to look for a suitable replacement. The machines available at the local big box stores we're not as good as this machine. They had lower horsepower motors. At the same time I found the machines available at the local sewing centers powerful but way overpriced. So I chose the Singer Quantum 9960 from Amazon for a number of reasons, including the horsepower of the motor, the abundant features , but also because of its country of origin (made in Taiwan and not in China). My wife has used it heavily and it has performed flawlessly. Even better, it is so easy and intuitive to use that even I can use it. I have even mastered some advanced sewing skills.

Update August 2015: both my wife and I have continued using this machine over the last year, and it continues to perform flawlessly. We find it very easy to set up, tear down and store. I would suggest a couple of good habits that will make your life easier. The first one, because this machine is electronically controlled I always use it in conjunction with a quality surge protector. Don't leave it plugged in while you're not using it . This will help protect the electronics from electrical spikes. The second suggestion is to get a storage container for the various removable feet and store them in such a way that they are labeled for easy identification. I found some cheap plastic boxes and the local sports store that are ordinarily used for fishing lures. They worked perfectly for all the removable feet. With each of the feet identified, it's easy to reference to the user manual when it suggests the type of foot you need to use for the type of stitch your selecting. Always use the correct needle for the weight of the thread and the type of material, and seat it fully when you install it. Also, never run the machine with the cleats up and the presser foot down unless there's material between them, as this will cause the cleats to abrade the bottom of the presser foot. If you happen to do this accidentally, don't worry about it. Just don't make a habit of it. And as my wife would say - "guide" but don't "force" the material.

I'm not a sewing expert, and I still find this machine to be very easy to use. I continue to be impressed by the multitude of stitches available on the unit. The User Guide that came with it is sufficient enough to let me know which foot, and what type of needle I need to be using in conjunction with the type of fabric and the type of stitch. So far the machine has been used on opaque-backed curtains, and for alterations using all types of material, jean-weight and lighter. It hasn't so much as snagged once. It is really easy to thread, but you might have to practice a couple of times to get it right. But after that it's a breeze to thread. The auto cutter is very handy. I also like the fact that it can tack at the beginning and end of your stitching. The range of automated controls, - width and length of stitch - are easy to set. Even if I haven't use the machine in a while, when I get it out and set it up, I quickly remember how the settings work. In comparison, I found my wife's old sewing machine to be difficult to use and baffling at all times. I never knew how to set up her old machine correctly, and constantly had problems with the stitching. And it was extremely expensive machine that weighed about a ton. All I can say is that the technology has come a long way. This new Singer Qantum is way cool.

One of the things that made me purchase this machine originally was the horsepower of the motor. It has not disappointed me. It moves easily through heavy weight material even at low speeds. My wife has a lot more experience in this area than I do, and she loves this machine.

UPDATE: Nov 2017. We're still using the QUANTUM 9960, and we still love this machine. So far... no problems. The more we use it, the more we've discovered that it is a very user-friendly and versatile machine that offers a lot of control over the stitching dynamics. It is awesome. You can electronically position the needle with precision when mending previously stitched materials. The overcast stitch is a godsend for repairs. Changing spools and bobbins is easy. It handlers all sorts of fabric and materials without straining. Hey... but here's a useful tip. Go through the user guide and identify all the presser-feet ahead of time, and organize them in storage for quick identification and retrieval when needed. I use a PLANO fishing lure box for this purpose and label each of the slots, because it is hard to figure out which foot is which from the drawings in the book. Anyway.... we've use the 9960 on projects, alterations, and much mending. There has been no hitch in the stitch. If this machine ever has a problem we will update you all.

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Shorty

Major upgrade for me!!!!!

Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2013

Style: 9960 Sewing MachineVerified Purchase

For the last 25 years, I have been sewing with an off brand sewing machine, DressMaker, and for the most part was very happy with it. Then it started to die and was spending more time in the repair shop than what I wanted. I will be honest, I did a great deal of research and had narrowed my purchase choice down to three different machines - one of them being the Singer 9960. After test "driving" all three and realizing the Singer was the only one that fit my budget - I purchased the Singer.

Now I am very glad that I purchased this machine. When the machine was delivered, I opened it, counted all the feet and other accessories then read the manual. It was simple to read, but reading and doing at the same time, is often difficult for me. After practicing threading (which is SUPER easy with the automatic thread feature) and filling the bobbin, I sewed my first seam. AND FELL IN LOVE!!!!!!!!!! It was very quiet, there was no vibration and I absolutely LOVE the speed control. The first seam was a 3 1/2 yards long and part of the backing for an oversized quilt (backing had to be pieced). The speed control makes it much easier to control the material, the needle down feature is wonderful (especially when you have to stop and wrestle two pieces of material around to keep it straight) and the thread cutter is nice too. You don't waste thread pulling it out to clip it.

One problem I did have was figuring out how to change to another stitch (buttonhole) for an appliqued quilt top. After some playing around with the book and the machine, it came up. Stitching appliqued pieces with the button hole stitch was really easy, especially with the speed control feature. I will be doing more appliqued quilts in the future.

My CON List is on the short side. 1.) the machine's weight. I have arthritis in my shoulder and the machine does have some weight. Taking the machine back and forth to quilting sessions, lifting it from the carry case to the table is a strain and 2.) one of the bonus feet - stitch in the ditch - would not fit the machine's shank. BUT - no worry - for the joy of sewing on a nice machine, I will figure a way around these issues.

Since I have only had the machine for a little less that 2 weeks, I think I might still be in the honeymoon stage and because of this, I will revisit this review in approximately 3 months to update this review.

UPDATE OF EARLIER REVIEW -

Ok Folks, I have had this machine for 3 months and am still in love - the honeymoon will probably go on for a few more months, years or even longer. It all depends on whether or not I outlive the machine.

In the three months that I have had the machine - not a day has not passed that I have not been in front of it sewing. It is such a joy to work with so let me see if I can put some order to this.

LOVES:

1) The speed control - you can set it in any way you want slow to fast. If you are sewing a lot of straight seams piecing - the quicker speed is nice - the machine sews straight without much strain and you don't have to keep wrestling your fabric around to stay straight.

2) The large extended table is wonderful - you can lay a piece of fabric out and not have to worry about it dragging because it is falling off of the machine while you sew.

3) The thread cutter is a fantastic feature. If you are quilting within the body of the quilt and need to do a lot of starts and stops, this is the best. Not only does it clip the thread - before doing so, it will stitch in place a couple of movements of the shaft and the thread is secured. You don't have to go back and tie off the threads. Very nice feature!!!!!!

4) Tack stitch - nice for locking in thread in a stitching row that you are starting - no back stitching and having bulking threads.

5) Now that I have gotten used to the machine, it is very EASY to change the stitch style and length. It just takes time to adjust to it.

CONS: The weight is still an issue - but I am getting used to it - and if the arthritis starts to act up - I can always lift the machine in small steps.

I do have one new complaint - I echo stitched a quilt that I had just finished for a wedding gift and when I was turning or changing material directions - occasionally the material would accidently hit one of the buttons that would change the stich from the regular straight stitch to one of the others that were either zig-zag or one that moved the needle out of the middle. If Singer were to redesign the front of the machine, I would recommend that those primary buttons be moved so they run from left to right rather than top to bottom.

Other than that, I am still in love with this machine and it will take a lot to get me to give it up. Hope it outlives me, I don't want to have to replace it with a wannabe.

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Carol A. Lockwood

Really nice machine!

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2013

Style: 9960 Sewing MachineVerified Purchase

This is a powerful sewing tool! The manual explains things pretty well. I would prefer that English be in one part, Spanish and French in their own sections, but it was still clear just the same. I printed it out online and read through it before the machine arrived. My printout was larger and more readable (just a heads up if you have "old eyes"). The machine is very intuitive and easy to move through the stitch patterns and to personalize them if you wish. The amount of presser feet included in this machine is just amazing, and most are optional accessories with other machines. I don't foresee needing to find any other feet. It sews like a dream - the stitch quality really is perfect. I like that when you bring up the stitch pattern on the screen you can change the tension, length and width all from the same area. The only thing that I thought was odd was where the adjusting screw is to balance some of the pattern stitches if they need to be opened up or closed more (it's on the BOTTOM of the machine). Why that got put there makes no sense, but it is what it is. At least you have the ability to correct a pattern if it needs to be changed on certain fabrics. Once you know how the function buttons work and what they control the rest is easy. The stitch patterns included have a wide range of uses. Not sure why there is a Russian alphabet?, but I knew ahead of time that I'll never use all of the stitches on this machine, but there are so many that I will! I'm going to purchase a carry case for this machine. The cover is nice, but it won't protect the machine if you intend to have this be portable for classes and such. The cover is fine if you have a place at home to leave your machine set up and have it stay there. Use a surge protector with this machine and that should help to protect the computer board. This machine feels "solid." A real plus for me is the amount of room that is given for your hands to work in front and to the left of the needle. I don't feel like I'm working off the edge of a cliff. I haven't even used the extension table yet, but I know it will be wonderful for quilting. I really like that the stitches I'll use most have their own buttons. The needle threader is basic, but it works well. If you are sewing with a finer needle you'll need to thread the machine by hand or you'll damage the threader.

I love to sew and there have been some amazing things happening in the world of sewing these past few years! I'm not ready to spend thousands of dollars on a sewing machine (just not into machine embroidery), but this Singer has features that are usually found in the more expensive machines. The thread cutter is wonderful!

As noted before: use a good quality thread, a class 15J bobbin and Singer needles. Why specific needles? The scarf on a machine's needle is meant to work with the hook on the machine's shuttle, so it's best to use the needle that has a scarf engineered to work with your machine's shuttle hook. If you do use other needles then listen very carefully for the sound of a metal "click" - if you hear that sound then change your needle immediately because those needles will damage your machine.

I put the extra presser feet and foot holder that were included with the machine in a separate small plastic case since those pieces are designed to work together. It just saves having to second guess myself later trying to remember which foot goes on what holder.

Thanks, Amazon! Again your delivery service is outstanding. My machine arrived in less than 24 hours. Amazing!

One of the reviewers of this machine was upset about having some of the presser feet be clear plastic. I wouldn't worry about them. I've got an old Singer from the late 60s/early 70s that has some clear plastic feet and they have lasted all of these years and remain in like new condition. There are times when having a clear foot is an advantage to your field of vision. There a few clear plastic presser feet, but they are marked with red measuring lines and would probably be more difficult to see if they were marked on metal. They're just fine.

I'm really happy with this machine. It's more than I had anticipated it would be. Machines like this will help to make Singer more competitive in the sewing market again. I have a new grandson to sew for and I love the little patterns for the plane, car and the boat. To be able to combine those little patterns with words is going to be even more fun!

I read all of the reviews on this machine - good and bad before I decided to buy one for myself. I know from experience (I was trained at Pfaff back in the 80s) that 99% of all sewing problems are directly related to the needle (damaged, wrong size or style), thread (old thread, get rid of the cheap thread!!, rethread the machine from the beginning with the presser foot UP and try again), the machine needs to be cleaned, or operator error. Don't get mad at the machine if all of a sudden you've got loopy stitches, check your threading and your needle. Learn to figure out what's wrong before you automatically assume that the machine is "broken" or "doesn't work." Your machine can't talk and doesn't have any other way of telling you that something is wrong.

This is a really nice machine and I'm happy with what I've seen so far. I do believe this machine is better suited to someone who has more sewing experience than someone who is just beginning. I think this machine could be overwhelming to someone just learning to sew.

4/18 - I suggest that you purchase the Dritz or Brother 1/4" patchwork foot which has a wider footprint for these wider feed dogs. The foot that is included with this one is too narrow to be as effective as it should be. I swapped it out last night to see if the foot I use with another machine was compatible and it worked so much better. I also just moved the straight stitch pattern to 5.5 on the width setting using the basic presser foot and that worked perfectly fine, too. The feed dogs on this machine are wider to accomodate the 7mm width stitches, and the straight stitch foot that was included should have had a wider "footprint." It's a minor thing considering you can just keep the regular presser foot on and move the needle over a bit. Hold the thread tails or sew on a waste square first and you won't have a bit of trouble. (I keep a little box of 3" square note papers for phone messages right by my sewing machine for this purpose so I don't waste fabric!)

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Lillith

Excellent Machine, Great Value for the Cost

Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2018

Style: 9960 Sewing MachineVerified Purchase

I have had this machine for about six months now and use it nearly every single day. So far, it's been an absolute workhorse. I haven't used even half of the stitches the machine can make. I primarily make quilts, blankets, bags and purses, as well as the occasional pair of pajama pants or perhaps a skirt, so my primary stitch is the straight stitch, of course.

My favorite thing about this machine is how easy it is to change stitch length and style. You can change the stitch length with the push of a button, and it will tell you exactly how long each stitch is. You can also mirror stitches, so if you have a decorative stitch that you want to change the direction on, you can do that with the press of a button, too! I haven't played with that too much yet, but it is a great feature that makes sewing projects a little easier! I haven't touched most of them, unfortunately, but I do like to know I can if I want!

My second favorite thing is the automatic thread tension. No more sitting there and spinning the dial, testing stitches to see if you've set it right. My old machine was a nightmare and I never felt like I had the tension set correctly. This one does it for me without me thinking about it. You can go in and adjust tension manually, if you want, but I've never had to! One tip, though, use a good quality thread. I have some spools of Coats & Clark that I use occasionally, and I feel like the stitches don't look as nice as when I use Gutermann or Aurafil thread. Besides, better quality thread leaves less lint buildup in your machine. More expensive, yes, but you will get more life and better quality products using high quality thread!

Third favorite thing is probably the accessories that come with this machine. I received a number of presser feet like the quilting foot, overlock foot, rolled hem foot, and satin stitch foot that I had never used before and didn't understand the purpose of. I have used the general purpose foot and the zipper foot before, but I never knew how handy these other feet would come in! The overlock foot has been great for finishing seams on clothing. I don't make enough clothing to ever need a serger, but this machine paired with the overlock foot does the job nicely. It's certainly slower than a serger, but if you can't afford to purchase a serger and you like to make your own clothes, this machine can do a serviceable job. Make sure to read your manual or watch YouTube videos to learn how you can use the presser feet that come with your machine. It opens up so many possibilities!

Another feature that I didn't think I would like so much is the push-button thread cutter. It saves on thread because you don't have to pull the fabric out to snip the tail. You just make sure your needle is down (this machine ALWAYS stops with needle down, which is another feature I didn't know I would appreciate so much) and push the scissors button, and your thread is cut. You also cannot begin to sew unless the presser foot is down. It's saved me a few times when I forgot to put the presser foot down, and it beeps at you. It helps eliminate a bit of that human error!

I have had very few problems with this machine, but when it decides to act up, boy does it ever! Sometimes I will shut off my machine for the night without changing thread or messing with the bobbin at all, and when I return the next day to continue my project, it's decided it doesn't want to sew a single stitch. I'll get a horrible mess of tangled thread, a stuck needle, the works. One time the thread cutter piece seemed to get stuck, so it stopped the top thread from pulling the bobbin thread up. I once spent a good thirty minutes cleaning, rethreading, changing thread, rewinding the bobbin, and finally shutting the machine off and back on again (it is computerized, after all) before finally getting frustrated and walking away. An hour later I came back to try again. I rethreaded, checked the bobbin, and began to sew. It worked perfectly. No sign of its prior misbehavior. And, you HAVE TO do it in that order. There is no finding a problem and simply shutting it off/back on. You have to reach the brink of throwing the thing out the window before it will relent and let you work again.

Besides those little tantrums, the machine has been great. I feel like if you have one set project that you do all the time, like quilts or blankets, you might never find a use for all of this machine's features. Singer sells many machines that are specifically geared toward quilters and may be a bit cheaper than this machine. If you are a "broad spectrum" sewer and work on many different kinds of projects and want a quality machine, this is a great one! I like that it can grow with you, and you won't soon reach the machine's limits!

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Just a tsp

Lovely Machine

Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2013

Style: 9960 Sewing MachineVerified Purchase

UPDATED JUNE 17, 2013:
TENSION ADJUSTMENT: So simple to adjust, and so many adjustment settings available to get the very best setting for tension. Now that I have used the machine for one month, I've had several occasions where I needed to adjust the tension. The default setting is individually set for each and every stitch so that is nice. But each individual stitch also has the tension adjustments available and these setting are very fine and minuscule and very easy to set so that finding the best setting for the fabric and stitch is easily possible.

FOOT TENSION: I find this machine has excellent foot tension. Better than any machine I have ever used. The fabric feeds right through and there is very little "swaying" of the fabric. I hardly have to help guide it. It's terrific.

QUILTING: I used several decorative stitches to top stitch 4 placemats. Stitching looked great. I would like to mention, I'm not really sure about this yet, but I do think some of the decorative stitches skipped some stitches. I did some testing and noticed this. I'll have to update my review when I have made a definite conclusion on this with more testing.

AUTO THREADER: Still haven't got the hang of this yet. I know it is probably just me. But then again, I've never had a problem threading my needle so it's not a big CON for me. But my Brother SE400 had a very efficient threader.

QUIET AND SMOOTH: Maybe this isn't as quiet as my SE400 but it's quiet.

MY ORIGINAL REVIEW FROM MAY 2013
I've been sewing for almost 50 years and have owned (and given many away) 8 machines. THIS ONE EVEN OUT-DOES MY BROTHER SE400 (I still love) that I purchased 18 months ago (while they were $299). I'll be using this 9960 most of the time and use my Brother SE400 for embroidery.

The 6 minute video here at Amazon tells it all! There are a few videos to help learn more about this machine, but really it is easy to use right out pf the box.

Here's just a few of the my highlights of this solid, good machine (fabulous machine for the price!!!!) (although there are so many PROs and I cannot, at this time, find any CONs.

Presser feet low-shank: THIS MACHINE COMES WITH SO MANY! Over the last two years I've been buying pressure feet to add to my collection as I have recently taken up quilting. The combined purchase of these feet cost as much as this machine. It is low shank so my (duplicate) purchased feet also fit this machine.

Bobbins: I bought a BOX of pre-wound bobbins (for my Brother SE400) about a year ago and am thankful they FIT THIS MACHINE.

Button-hole foot: This design holds the fabric stable allowing the sewing of a perfect button hole.

Tension Adjustment: So simple to adjust, and so many adjustment settings available to get the very best setting for tension, (although I have not had to adjust it yet, as I've only used it for 3 days now). I'm sure it will come in handy when using the decorative stitching to get very best clean and accurate even stitches.

Decorative Stitches: I've tested many of the decorative stitches (so many to choose from). They are very clean and neat with the default tension setting, but will require tweaking tension adjustment when I do top quilting I'm sure, as I want them to be meticulous, and the tension adjustment will make that possible.

Needle Threader: The needle threader is a little tricky, but I know I will get it soon.

THREAD CUTTER. This feature saves me so much time. No matter what I sew, there always seems to be a hundred thread to cut. Even though my SE400 has a thread cutter, it only cuts the bobbin thread (which I found very helpful). But this 9960 cuts the BOTTOM AND TOP! This feature will save me many many hours of cutting over the coming year!

Quilting: The spacing on the inside of the table and the top of the machine is 6 inches wide and 5 inches tall. This is 1 inch taller and 1 inch wider than my Brother SE400 and will give me more space to roll my quilting projects while I add the decorative top stitching.

Light: So wonderfully bright with two lights. I have 3 lamps near my sewing machine (as well as an overhead light and a window for sunlight). I cannot have enough light to sew. So the added light aboard this machine is a plus.

Quiet: Quiet and smooth!

Instruction Book: The book is a handy 6x8 inches. It is laid out well and I can find what I want very quickly. I also download the book in pdf so I can quickly search what I'm looking for (go to singerco.com)

I got this machine for $249 on Amazon Daily Deal. I am so very, very happy with this machine.

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Vom Haus Nemeth GSD

Singer has POOR customer service and POOR quality products!

Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2024

Style: 9960 Sewing MachineVerified Purchase

I am writing in regards to my recent purchase of a Singer Quantum Stylist 9960. I bought through Amazon for $533 as a NEW machine. When i opened the box, it was clear to me that this was NOT a new machine. The plastic cover/case had swirl/scratch marks on it. There was dirt/dust throughout the box and machine. The on/off button was not fully attached to the machine. The side of the machine was bent in. There was no protection over the needle. The list goes on. I have requested a refund and im in the process of returning the machine back to Amazon. Im really disappointed that i was sold a used machine and I don't believe this was Amazon. My first sewing machine was a Singer. I've had it for 10 years. I decided to upgrade to a more advanced machine and still chose SINGER. $533 is a lot of money for our family. The story gets worse as I purchased another Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 through Amazon in hopes it actually would be a new machine. I was excited when I opened the box at first because how it was packaged compared to the first one I bought it was clear I was right in that the first was USED. But, even though the 2nd machine appeared new, the attachment box that clips into place by the needle, was broken! So we had to swap the box out with the first "used machine" And i really should swap the cover because its warped but the other cover is covered in scratches. Why did i have to buy two different machines, swap parts to get one "good" machine and settle for a warped machine cover because its defect is less offensive than the scratched cover? Now im $1, 080 in the hole (waiting for refund on first machine which could take up to 37 days!) And im not at all confident im going to keep either. I have contacted Singer by email explaining in detail my experience and they referred me back to Amazon. My issue was the quality of the product NOT the shipping company. They totally blew me off. I tried again by asking for a supervior number or email and they only reponded with "we have let the appropriate department know". They blew me off again. I really hope this review makes people second guess Singer. I gave them multiple chances to speak with me to discuss my experience but they dont care at all! Good luck to anyone that has an issue with Singer. You are on your own!

9 people found this helpful

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L Parr

The bargain of the century!

Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2018

Style: 9960 Sewing MachineVerified Purchase

I hadn't done any sewing in decades and really wanted to rediscover it, so I spent a month researching different machines to purchase. The only Singer I had ever sewed on was my mother's and it was a model from the 60's (and it still works just fine). My biggest concern was all the new computerized models...it was very intimidating but I really wanted to be able to use all the features that these new machines had. I consider myself a beginner sewer...I did fine in home ec sewing, made a few quilt like blankets for gifts, sewed on some patches, did a few hems but that was about it.
I went on to Craftsy where I have an unlimited membership (free one week trial for anyone interested) and they had a ton of classes on different sewing projects and many for beginners like me. It gave me a chance to see instructors using various models of machines. All had the high end models like baby lock, bernina and janome. I checked out all those models and what functions they had...all were very pricey.
Since the only machine I had ever sewed on was a Singer and it was still kicking 40 years later, I decided to check out what Singer had to offer.
This Quantum is no longer made by Singer but you can still buy it (if you hurry), they now make a Quantum 9985 which had a few more features but not worth the increased price IMHO.

This is the only machine for the price that has all the high end features of machines like janome and bernina. My favorite is the automatic threader...my eyes are not as sharp as they use to be and even in my 20s, threading that needle was a pain in the butt. This machine makes threading the eye of that needle effortless. Changing the feet in most of the newer more upscale models is just a push of a button (or lever on some) and the Singer is no different. It took me a few minutes to get that hang of lining up the bar on the foot to get it to grab but it works really nicely and makes changing out feet a piece of cake. I loved the idea of the automatic thread cutter but have not been impressed with it at all. Once I push that button to cut the thread, I no longer can see the bobbin thread...it's down under the throat plate somewhere. My next group of stitches looks fine on the top but when I turn the project over, the first few stitches had a bit of a nest going on. Once I stopped using the button and cut the thread manually, everything was fine. I called Singer to ask if this was supposed to happen or if it is a defect but the rep I got admitted she didn't know much about that particular machine and would have to get back to me. It's not a big enough issue for me to return the machine but it is why I gave it four stars instead of five...I will update the stars and the review if it turns out to be a defect.

Two LED lights instead of one! This make a huge difference and even the high end models don't have this. One light by the needle in the standard place like most but another under the throat area of the machine that really lights up your whole workspace and really improves your visualization of the area...two big thumbs up!

The display panel can be adjusted brighter or less depending on your needs. All of your most common stitches are in a row to the left of the panel which I loved as the panel was my biggest fear and searching for a straight stitch on that bad boy a bit terrifying. I was pleasantly surprised...okay, no...I was shocked at how easy that panel was to use. First of all it automatically adjusts the tension for you which I like but you can change it if you want. All of the default settings are highlighted for each stitch so if you play around with it and forget what the default was, no problem just keep scrolling until it highlights in black. For the decorative stitches, you can make them larger or smaller...mirror them...make them continuous or pick a specific number of repeats before it stops. You can change your stitch length and even change the position of the needle to the right or left if your sewing a really small hem like a french seam (just learned this one so I'm bragging..). You can also change the tension here if your using speciality threads or techniques but since it's done automatically, no need otherwise. I also love that the display panel shows you what foot you should be using for that stitch and the letter associated with it. I played around with multiple stitches and they all worked effortlessly. I will say that I was not impressed with the lettering stitches. They were okay but if you want really nice lettering...this is not the best function on this machine.

Another nice feature for us beginners was the foot pedal speed setting. You set to how fast you want the machine to sew, even if you push the foot pedal all the way down. I found the slowest setting to be too slow even for me, but the middle setting just perfect...no more run away stitching. The bobbin cover is see through...a nice feature to see if you are running out of bobbin thread, although I would have liked to see seam guides on this as well and there are none...just on the throat plate. There is a button to set if you want the machine to stop with the needle down which is very nice to have and saves you time from manually using the hand wheel. There is also a button for reversing the stitch to secure your seams...again saves time. If your presser foot is up, the light is red warning you not to sew (in fact I think you cant sew with the red light on).

Other than all of these advanced features, the real bargain of this machine is the accessory package included. This come with 24 accessories, many of them pressor feet that would cost you about 300 bucks to purchase seperately, an extension table and my unit came with a "bonus" pack of even more pressor feet which thrilled me. I don't plan on traveling with my machine but wanted a cover so that I could leave it out on the sewing table, so I was surprised to see it come with a hard dust cover that has a side storage area for my manual and warranty information.

Customer service is another reason to buy this machine, especially if your are new to sewing. Singer has a support system where you can call 8am to 8pm most days except Saturday till 2 pm and no Sunday support. They have a large selection of videos and one very complete video for this machine that walks you through everything it does. I highly recommend having your phone or laptop next to your machine and watching it and going along with the video, it helped me tremendously.
I paid $340 for this machine and the accessories alone would have cost me more than that. This is a machine I will be using for a long time, so no need to upgrade when my sewing abilities improve, yet this is not so overwhelming to a beginner like I thought it would be. A good warranty although I will need to mail it so be sure to keep the box if there is no service centers nearby.
I would grab this machine while it is still available as the newer model is nearly $200 more, last I looked. I think this machine is the bargain of the century!
UPDATE: Turns out the thread cutter was defective, Singer wants me to send it back for service...shipping on my dime. I called Amazon and not only are they sending me a new machine, they are not waiting for me to return my other one, so I can continue working on my project without any delay. Amazon is awesome! And of course the shipping back to them is free. Updating to five stars!
ANOTHER UPDATE: I have had the machine for months now, turns out the automatic thread cutter is just crap so I just don't use it. No big deal for me. The machine has performed well and has gone through multiple layers (uh...like 5...don't judge me), occassionally needing a bit of a push to get through. I have a Brother embroidery/sewing machine that I got used as a back up and the thread cutter works great, so this is a Singer screw up...I ended up returning THREE of these machines thinking the thread cutter was defective...no, just a crappy thread cutter...not a big enough deal to take a star away. I probably sew about 4 days a week so this machine has had a workout from me. I still believe it is an unbelievable bargain for all the advanced features you get and will grow with a beginner for years.

251 people found this helpful

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Nancy D

My New Best Buddy

Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2013

Style: 9960 Sewing MachineVerified Purchase

When asked if I wanted a new sewing machine, my first response was no, my basic machine was good enough. But when I started researching this Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist Sewing Machine the more I read, the more I knew I did want one.

First for a few points of information: Unlike what others have written, mine DID come with a nice fitting hard cover that includes storage space for the manual and sewing feet.. So don't buy the cover listed on the first page. You don't need it. Also make sure your machine has a blue swirl decoration on the lower right of the machine. From what I've read, there was an earlier version that had some problems that Singer fixed. They added the blue swirl so that you'd know you were buying the improved machine.

Another important piece of info is that the plastic bobbins to use with it are Singer 15Js-NOT just the 15 series. It will not sew smoothly unless it has the correct 15J bobbin. Buying them 3 at a time is pretty expensive, Usually they're 3 for $3.97 Singer 15-J Bobbins Transparent, 3-Pack but you can save money buying more at one time like Style 15J Sewing Machine Bobbins for Singer - 10 Pack for about $2.99 from Amazon or large lots of 15Js from Ebay.

Some have asked about the noise it makes when started. The manual states that it calibrates itself when turned on. So, that quick mechanical noise is normal. I've also read a recommendation that when you are not using your machine, it's best to unplug it from the wall.

This machine is a BIG step up from basic. It's so quiet that I've sewn while talking on the phone. You can use this machine without using the pedal. You unplug the pedal cord and push the start button, and like magic, it sews on its own. You can set the speed of sewing and adjust it as you go. This is a nice change and will be helpful to people who have leg or foot problems.

There is a button that will cut your threads when you've completed your row. You don't have to pull out the threads when restarting. It pulls up the bobbin thread on its own. That saves on thread used and at first, it's hard to believe that it will work-but it does!

It has 600 stitches. I made a quilt with dogs on it and then used the the dog stitch to make my project that much cooler. You can also choose more than one type of stitch, for ex. sew first a plane, then a boat, then a car and repeat. It won't remember your chain of stitches once the machine is turned off, but while it's left on it stores what you want in its short term memory. By changing the width or length of stitches it offers even more possible looks. There are many sewing feet, probably more than most people will ever need. I've been using the walking foot for quilts, so I haven't had a lot of experience with all the possibilities. I do know though that the feet are very easy to take off and put on. Pushing a tab removes one then the other foot easily clicks into place.

When getting used to your new machine you should read the manual and watch some videos either on You Tube or Singer.com. (It's good to know that the manual can be downloaded from Singer.com if you misplace it.) Like anything that is new to you, it's hard to get it right at first. My first try at sewing didn't go well. It looked like the tension wasn't right. I checked the manual and it said that if your sewing is clumpy on the underside, you probably didn't thread the machine correctly. Sure enough, that was my exact problem. I made a mistake with the threading of the machine. When fixed, it worked great.

This Singer 9960 automatically sets to the correct tension based on the stitch and material chosen. If it's not sewing well for you, it's highly unlikely to be a tension problem.

If you're like me, you're impatient and want it to work right the first time. There's a learning curve to both sewing and learning a new machine. You have to be a "newbie" for a while and check your manual often taking it step by step while your learning how to thread the machine and wind the bobbins.

It really is a great machine and is mostly intuitive once you have your basics down. if you decide to buy one it should work out well for you. Your work will look professional and I bet you end up loving it like I do.

Now back to sewing my latest project.

Sept 18th update:

After writing this review and commentating about how I did not have the machine threaded correctly at first, I thought that what I did wrong, might be what others would also do wrong. My mis-threading was actually not locating the wire that runs horizontal right before you thread the needle in the upper part of the machine. In my past machines, those last guide wires are larger and easier to locate. But on the Singer 9960, the wire is much smaller and hard to see . . . but it's there, kind of hiding right by the needle. It's very slender and not at all obvious. It's what I missed when first learning how to thread the machine. Just in case you have the threads clumping on the bottom of your fabric, which means your top part of the machine has an error in threading, check to make sure your thread is inserted behind that fragille looking wire that seems to almost hide from view. Once I fixed that, I was ready to sew. Happy sewing to everyone. I still love my machine!

67 people found this helpful

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